Blue Lacuna — 340 of 467

Part - Romance Subplot

Chapter - Long Walks

[This scene is triggered when romance is at least 2. It's essentially a date. The player can either strengthen the growing romantic attachments or refute them.]

Walk Invitation is a common urgent episode. The expiration date is 12 hours. The icebreaker is wi_intro.

A condition for Walk Invitation:

if Progue has free time and

we guess the player is interested and

romance of Progue < 5, rule succeeds.

To decide whether we guess the player is interested:

if romance of Progue >= 3, yes;

if romance of Progue >= 2 and Rume is male, yes; [If the player has previously shown an interest in romantic attachments to males, we can be a little bolder.]

no.

A completion rule for Walk Invitation:

now dont_Describe_Progue is true;

Progue's life goes on;

follow the Progue's motivation rule.

To choose time for Progue's date:

if Progue is booked for evening or current interval is evening or current interval is sunset or current interval is night, now wi_time is morning; otherwise now wi_time is evening.

wi_time is an interval that varies.

WI is a thread. The escape clause is wi_no.

wi_intro is a beat in WI with reaction "'There you are!' Progue says, coming up to you and shuffling his feet awkwardly. Dots of red touch his cheeks. 'Well then, ah, hello,' he says, coughing a little. 'Fancy fancy meeting you here.' He seems to want to ask you [t]something[x], but is uncertain how to begin.". wi_intro summons wi_askout. wi_intro suggests wi_askout. After discussing wi_intro: choose time for Progue's date; continue the action.

Understand "something" as wi_askout when last beat is in WI. wi_askout is a beat in WI with keyword name "something" and reaction "'Yes,' he says, 'it's been green eons since I... oh well oh,' he says, blurting quickly out, 'so then, perhaps you'd like to join me [if wi_time is evening]this evening[otherwise]tomorrow morning[end if] in a walk along the beach?". The yes-beat of wi_askout is wi_yes. The no-beat of wi_askout is wi_no. wi_askout suggests wi_no.

wi_yes is a terminal beat in WI with fuse 99 and keyword name "yes" and reaction "'You would?' he shouts. 'Oh. Oh! Yes, well, that's gushing fantastic.' He beams broadly. 'Well, it's a, oh, one of whatever those are then I suppose. I'll see you [if wi_time is evening]tonight[otherwise]in the morning[end if]; meet me down by the boulders[if Word Day is successful]. You remember, where we first met, on Word Day[end if].' He flashes a mad grin, then skips off. 'Till [if wi_time is evening]tonight[otherwise]tomorrow[end if] then!' he calls back over his shoulder.". After discussing wi_yes: schedule Progue for Long Walks at wi_time; continue the action.

wi_no is a terminal unromantic beat in WI with fuse 99 and keyword name "no" and reaction "'Ah,' he says, 'well of course you've seen it already. No point, no point. Terrible sorries for your time. Enjoy the [progue-time-of-day]!' He turns, stumbles over [a random setpiece in location], recovers himself with an awkward grin, then speed-walks away.". After discussing wi_no: now romance of Progue is 0; continue the action.

Long Walks is a rendezvous episode with summary "awkward walks on beaches". The meeting place is Among the Boulders. The expiration date is 4 hours. The icebreaker is lw_intro. The subchange beat is lw_subchange. The boredom beat is lw_distracted. The bye beat is lw_bye. The abruptbye beat is lw_abruptbye.

LW is a thread.

lw_subchange is a beat in LW with reaction "'Oh, but there's time and time to talk about other things,' he says kindly. 'Let's not spoil the moment, eh?'".

lw_distracted is a beat in LW with reaction "'You seem distracted,' Progue says with concern. Are you sure you want to continue?'". The yes-beat of lw_distracted is lw_byeyes. The no-beat of lw_distracted is lw_byeno.

lw_bye is a repeatable beat in LW with reaction "He stops, looking confused. 'Oh,' he says, 'but I thought we'd walk up to the Rise. Do you want to come the rest of the way with me?'". The yes-beat of lw_bye is lw_byeyes. The no-beat of lw_bye is lw_byeno. lw_bye suggests lw_byeyes.

lw_byeyes is a repeatable beat in LW with reaction "'Excellent,' he says, and the two of you continue walking.". After discussing lw_byeyes: force discuss lw_progress.

lw_byeno is a terminal unromantic beat in LW with reaction "'Very well then,' he says stiffly. 'Enjoy your [progue-time-of-day].'". After discussing lw_byeno: Progue is losing interest; Progue's life goes on; follow the Progue's motivation rule.

lw_abruptbye is a dogged beat in LW with reaction "'What's the rush?' Progue says, arresting your motion with his eyes. 'It's a beautiful [progue-time-of-day]. Let's take our time.'". lw_bye replaces lw_abruptbye.

lw_intro is a beat in LW with reaction "Progue, leaning casually against a boulder, beams broadly at you. 'Beautiful [progue-time-of-day], isn't it?' he says. 'Such singular [lw_weather] this is. Strolling weather, do you ring? Something [lw_ambling] about it. I [lw_myself] prefer a ratherly less humid clime, but in these past spans I suppose I've gotten used.' He suddenly bites his lip, flushes, and waits desperately, holding his breath, for you to say something.". lw_intro suggests lw_silence.

lw_silence is an annoying beat in LW with reaction "'Well,' he finally says into the awkward silence, 'let's amble if we're ambling, shall we?' And he leads you away from the boulders towards the beach.". After discussing lw_silence: commence the ambling; continue the action.

Understand "weather" as lw_weather when last beat is in LW. lw_weather is a beat in LW with keyword name "weather" and reaction "Progue looks relieved as you make some small talk about the weather, and he nods vigorously. 'Too true, true too,' he says. 'It really is and is a spectacular place. After the muchness of time I've been stuck here it's easy to forget.'". lw_weather enqueues lw_shallwe.

Understand "ambling/amble" as lw_ambling when last beat is in LW. lw_ambling is a beat in LW with keyword name "ambling" and reaction "'Yes yes, of course, why we're here and all,' he says quickly. 'Let's get started, I'm eager and ready!'". lw_ambling enqueues lw_shallwe.

Understand "personally" as lw_myself when last beat is in LW. lw_myself is a impressive beat in LW with keyword name "personally" and reaction "'What who? Me? Oh!' he says, a smile breaking out over his face. 'Terrible sorries and sorries, I'm just not a question it's used to. I'm... er... fine?' He wrinkles his brow, then suddenly laughs. 'Yes, that's it! I'm gushing fine, thank you, thank you, thank you for asking.' He laughs again, eyes twinkling gratefully at you.". lw_myself enqueues lw_shallwe.

lw_shallwe is a beat in LW with reaction "'Shall we then?' he adds, and leads you out from the shadows of the boulders onto the sun-stroked beach.". After discussing lw_shallwe: commence the ambling; continue the action. lw_shallwe suggests lw_progress.

To commence the ambling:

if location is Among the Boulders begin; let nl be South Beach;

otherwise if location is South Beach; let nl be Center Beach;

otherwise if location is Center Beach; let nl be North Beach;

otherwise; let nl be Rise;

end if;

if nl is adjacent to location begin;

move Progue to nl;

now Progue is attentive;

now conversation fuse is 1;

move player to nl;

otherwise;

let rt be the best route from location to nl;

move Progue to the room rt from location;

move player to the room rt from location;

end if.

lw_progress is an insistent beat in LW with reaction "'And how is being you?' he asks, walking slowly through the soft sand. 'Keeping busy? Making progress with your projects?'". The yes-beat of lw_progress is lw_progressyes. The no-beat of lw_progress is lw_progressno. lw_compliment replaces lw_progress.

lw_progressno is a beat in LW with keyword name "no" and reaction "'Really? Moisty sausages,' he says, genuinely concerned, 'terrible sorries to hear it. What is it you're getting upended over?'". lw_progressno summons sc_bees, sc_ropeway, sc_boiler, sc_pyramiddist, sc_dreams. [NOTE: saying this should raise the frustration meter.] After discussing lw_progressno: now tempfuse of lw_compliment is 5; continue the action. lw_progressno suggests lw_compliment.

lw_progressyes is a beat in LW with keyword name "yes" and reaction "'Delightful,' he says, nodding happily as you recount some of your recent exploration, 'it sounds like you know more than I remember.'". lw_progressyes enqueues lw_compliment.

lw_compliment is an exciting beat in LW with reaction "'Forgive if this is forward,' Progue says with a blush, focusing on the rippling sand at his feet, 'but [if we chose love or we chose both]there's something of the electric and the passionate about your nature[otherwise]the artist in you sings so loud even a half-mad soul like mine hears it[end if]. [if puzzle mode]I've watched the wheels spin and turn in your mind as you try to make sense of this place[otherwise]I see the spark in your eye, feel the yearn of your heart for adventure[end if]; and well. Fine qualities, I believe indeed.'[paragraph break]He blushes awkwardly, and you try to think of some compliment you could make in return (his [lw_appearance]? [lw_eloquence]? [lw_vivacity], [lw_artistry]?) even while some buried part of you wishes only for [lw_silence2].". lw_compliment cancels lw_progressyes, lw_progressno. lw_compliment suggests lw_silence. lw_amble2 replaces lw_compliment.

Understand "eloquence" as lw_eloquence when last beat is in LW. lw_eloquence is a impressive beat in LW with keyword name "eloquence" and reaction "He waves off your praise for his cadenced conversation with a nevertheless ridiculously pleased smile. 'Amazed you can ring me at all,' he says, 'or I myself, what with the mess and multitudes of worlds I've lived in. A motley stew of dialects from cross the infinite cosmos. Well then but thank you. Kind words you have.'". lw_eloquence enqueues lw_amble2.

Understand "appearance" as lw_appearance when last beat is in LW. lw_appearance is a impressive beat in LW with keyword name "appearance" and reaction "He listens with a silence you finally take to be incredulity as you say something about his rugged good looks. 'Well oh,' he says finally, 'and after so many years of strandation and nonsanity. For life and strife of me I've never had guessed. Presumed myself some sort of monster after green eons of tropical sunlight searing the skin. Mayhaps I am, but ever so kind of you to humor me.' He winks and looks pleased.". lw_appearance enqueues lw_amble2.

Understand "vivacity" as lw_vivacity when last beat is in LW. lw_vivacity is a impressive beat in LW with keyword name "vivacity" and reaction "He looks out to sea as you praise his zest for life, acknowledgments coming only in the form of slow nods and sad smiles. 'Yes,' he says, 'I suppose I've always lived at volumes near deafening to those around me, the merely living in my wake. Why I'm still here now, I suppose. Mayhaps why you're here too.' He looks back at you. 'Well and but thank you. Kind words for someone you met screaming syllables at an ocean.'". lw_vivacity enqueues lw_amble2.

Understand "artistry" as lw_artistry when last beat is in LW. lw_artistry is a impressive beat in LW with keyword name "artistry" and reaction "He tries to wave off your praise for the various bits of sculpture you've seen around the island, but grins broadly nevertheless. 'Not a challenge to complement a wayfarer, is it?' he says, then stops and slams a fist into his forehead. 'Oh, that came out terrible wrong. Moisty hells. What I said to have meant was... we artists we, each have quiet neurons hidden away for each of our creations, that dream of sparking but seldom dare. So much more the pleasant when an other sparks them for us.' He smiles. 'Thanks to you for your kind words.'". lw_artistry enqueues lw_amble2.

Understand "silence" as lw_silence2 when last beat is in LW. lw_silence2 is an annoying beat in LW with keyword name "silence" and reaction "Progue coughs to fill the awkward silence, and shuffles forward a little more quickly across the sand.". lw_silence2 enqueues lw_amble2.

lw_amble2 is a beat in LW with reaction "The two of you continue ambling along the beach.". After discussing lw_amble2: commence the ambling; continue the action. lw_amble2 cancels lw_eloquence, lw_appearance, lw_vivacity, lw_artistry. lw_amble2 suggests lw_firstlove. lw_firstlove replaces lw_amble2.

lw_firstlove is a beat in LW with reaction "'Actually,' Progue says quietly, 'just before you arrived at the boulders I remembered something. From long ago. A certain [if player is male]gentleman, well. A boy[otherwise]lady, well. A girl[end if], really, when I was [if player is male]only one myself. He[otherwise]just a boy myself. She[end if] remembers me of you, somehow, cross green eons. My first love, I suppose I suppose.'[paragraph break]'We were somewhere in the monstrous chasm twixt fift and sixteen,' he continues, seawater trickling warmly around your feet, 'lost in the midlands where neither side is visible or conceivable. Eons of talks; long great towering ones where the words we wove meant the world, and endless ones where I drowned in the green of [lwfirst2]". To say lwfirst2: say "[if player is male]his eyes and nothing he[otherwise]her eyes and nothing she[end if] said could dry me. I think, I think it was one of these when I realized [if player is male]he was as helpless in mine as I in his[otherwise]she was as helpless in mine as I in hers[end if]. Some razor moment, sweet breaths vortexing between us...' he closes his eyes. 'But how could I have forgotten that kiss? Endless. Endless...'[paragraph break][if morning]Sunrise[otherwise]Brilliant sunset[end if] glitters on the foamy waves, and you think of [lw_Rume], and of [lw_others] across your wayward life, and remember.". lw_firstlove suggests lw_holdhands. lw_rengin replaces lw_firstlove.

Understand "Rume" as lw_Rume when last beat is in LW. lw_Rume is a insistent beat in LW with keyword name "Rume" and reaction "Slowly, haltingly, you tell Progue the story of Rume; how you met and how you parted and some of the best between. He listens quietly, only nodding now and then, until you fall silent.[paragraph break]'Tell me then,' he says quietly, after long moments of only the crashing surf between you. 'Have you let [if Rume is male]him[otherwise]her[end if] go? Have you [lw_accepted] your loss, as your strange fate compels you to do, or do you still [lw_struggle] gainst bereavement, gainst the inevitable chasm between you?'". lw_Rume suggests lw_struggle. lw_Rume summons lw_accepted, lw_struggle. After discussing lw_Rume: miss Rume; continue the action.

Understand "accepted" as lw_accepted when last beat is in LW. lw_accepted is a beat in LW with keyword name "accepted" and reaction "He nods quietly, and his simple understanding is somehow almost heartbreaking.". lw_accepted enqueues lw_holdhands.

Understand "struggle" as lw_struggle when last beat is in LW. lw_struggle is a beat in LW with keyword name "struggle" and reaction "He sighs deeply, long and airy, the sound resting above the murmur of the surf like foam. Then, slowly, he nods, and this simple forgiveness is somehow almost heartbreaking.". lw_struggle enqueues lw_holdhands.

Understand "others" as lw_others when last beat is in LW. lw_others is a beat in LW with keyword name "others" and reaction "You tell Progue of the people you've loved, some of whom you haven't thought of in years, and the remembering, while painful, seems to dull or soften the loss of Rume, in blankets of familiarity.[paragraph break]Progue listens thoughtfully, then lets the waves wash a long barrier between your thoughts and his before he speaks. [if rev_wayfaring is spoken]'Wayfaring mayhaps is the wrong word,' he says finally. [end if]'What defines us is not that we travel, but that we survive at all. Each newness we find is born from annihilation, apocalypse, at least for us. We destroy ourselves by moving and yet we move. Never found a world with a word for that. Mayhaps if there is one, it's our home.'". lw_others enqueues lw_holdhands.

lw_holdhands is an insistent beat in LW with reaction "Between you, his [lw_hand] has dropped to his side, the space between it and yours filled only with snatches of salty air, now larger, now smaller as your unmatched strides take you [lw_forward] along the beach.". lw_holdhands summons lw_hand, lw_forward.

Understand "hand" as lw_hand when last beat is in LW. lw_hand is an impressive beat in LW with keyword name "hand" and reaction "Your painter's fingers brush against his, hard and calloused but shockingly warm, and then he grasps them firmly, surrounding your hand with his.[paragraph break]You walk farther down the beach, and can't imagine letting go.". After discussing lw_hand: commence the ambling; continue the action. lw_hand suggests lw_rengin;

Understand "forward" as lw_forward when last beat is in LW. lw_forward is an annoying beat in LW with keyword name "forward" and reaction "The beach stretches before you. You lift your hands slightly as you quicken the pace, and Progue hurries to follow.". After discussing lw_forward: commence the ambling; force discuss lw_rengin; continue the action.

lw_rengin is an insistent beat in LW with reaction "Progue pauses at the base of the lava flow, reflective[if lw_hand is spoken], and you feel the pulse in his hand racing[end if]. 'And but yet,' he says, 'the love of my life, wife, mother to my daughters... when after wearying of always moving on I settled, rooted and vowed never to do it again... she died. And I was the one left alone, abandoned, not able to follow.' He lowers his head, suddenly angry. 'And so much of her has left me,' he mutters, 'slipped away since through cracks of broken mind. Her voice... I can't remember her voice.'[paragraph break]He takes a deep breath, then looks up at you. 'If solitude is the condition of our lives,' he asks simply, 'then do you [lw_relish] or [lw_reject] it?'". lw_rengin summons lw_relish, lw_accept, lw_reject. lw_uptorise replaces lw_rengin.

Understand "relish" as lw_relish when last beat is in LW. lw_relish is an annoying beat in LW with keyword name "relish" and reaction "He studies your face carefully. 'Yes,' he says finally, 'for life and strife, you do. You're stronger than me, [animal-nickname]. I never embraced it, only hid it from myself, down and deep. And mayhaps that's the root of my madness.'". lw_relish enqueues lw_uptorise.

Understand "reject" as lw_reject when last beat is in LW. lw_reject is an impressive beat in LW with keyword name "reject" and reaction "A wistful, yearning look comes into his face. 'And you do, clear,' he says, 'you've always fought against fate, searched for some answer, some way to reconcile these two bastard halves of your nature. The wayfarer and the companion.' He sighs. 'I envy your resolve.'". lw_reject enqueues lw_uptorise.

Understand "accept" as lw_accept when last beat is in LW. lw_accept is a beat in LW with keyword name "accept" and reaction "He looks at you for a moment, then laughs. 'The third alternative,' he says, 'yes of course. What we cannot we don't. If only all could have such blessings of common sense.'". lw_accept enqueues lw_uptorise.

lw_uptorise is a beat in LW with reaction "He turns and leads you up the side of the lava flow.". After discussing lw_uptorise: commence the ambling; if lw_firstkiss is spoken begin; now lw_uptorise suggests lw_warmglow; otherwise if Progue is friendly; now lw_uptorise suggests lw_thisisme; end if; continue the action. lw_uptorise suggests lw_solong. [Based on how the date has gone we get one of three endings.]

lw_thisisme is a beat in LW with reaction "Progue grins. 'Well and look!' he says, sweeping an arm. 'We've accomplished what we stood out to. Walked the beach. Gushing fantastic[if lw_hand is spoken].' He squeezes your hand, then gently lets it go. 'W[otherwise]. W[end if]ell, [if evening or sunset or night]I don't want to keep you out after dark, lots of sleeping to be done I'm sure[otherwise]I'm sure you have a busy day in front of you, I certainly certainly don't want to get in your way[end if], so I suppose...?' He hesitates for just a moment, and you wonder whether to say [t]goodbye[x], or...". First instead of kissing Progue when last beat is lw_thisisme: force discuss lw_firstkiss. Before saying farewell to Progue when last beat is lw_thisisme (this is the Long Walks goodbye override rule): force discuss lw_kindrebuff. The Long Walks goodbye override rule is listed before the episodes overrule goodbye rule in the before rules. lw_thisisme suggests lw_kindrebuff. After discussing lw_thisisme: Progue is aroused, silently.

lw_firstkiss is a terminal romantic nonverbal beat in LW with reaction "Hesitantly, you lean forward, suddenly sure for one bleak moment you must have misunderstood, about to make a terrible fool of yourself... and then Progue moves too, and your lips meet.[paragraph break]There is nothing about sculpting, as far as you know, that involves the lips. But somehow it's like you're in the hands of a master.[paragraph break]At last, one or the other of you breaks away and you share a contented smile. Then Progue turns and skips off with a roguish grin, dancing from tree stump to tree stump with hands high in the air before vanishing into the haze of the swamp, leaving only the echoes of a joyful laugh.". After discussing lw_firstkiss: post-conversation processing; now dont_describe_Progue is true; summon Progue to West-Marsh; Progue's life goes on; print a section break; continue the action.

lw_kindrebuff is a terminal beat in LW with reaction "Progue smiles, gives you a sweeping bow, then turns and strolls off down towards the stumps, soon vanishing into the haze of the swamp.". After discussing lw_kindrebuff: post-conversation processing; now dont_describe_Progue is true; summon Progue to West-Marsh; Progue's life goes on; continue the action.

lw_unkind is a terminal unromantic nonverbal beat in LW with reaction "Progue looks a little surprised, but turns and heads off down towards the stumps.". After discussing lw_unkind: Progue is losing interest, silently; post-conversation processing; now dont_describe_Progue is true; summon Progue to West-Marsh; Progue's life goes on; continue the action.

lw_warmglow is a terminal beat in LW with reaction "Progue turns and grips your hands tightly for a moment. 'Well and look!' he says, nodding over your shoulder. 'We've accomplished what we stood out to. Walked the beach. Gushing fantastic.' He smiles. 'Thank you,' he says more seriously. 'In my solitude I'd forgotten how much value hides in companionship. You, [animal-nickname], are the perfect reminder.' He gives you another quick kiss, then bounds away, dancing from tree stump to tree stump with hands high in the air before vanishing into the haze of the swamp, leaving only the echoes of a joyful laugh.". After discussing lw_warmglow: post-conversation processing; now dont_describe_Progue is true; summon Progue to West-Marsh; Progue's life goes on; print a section break; continue the action.

lw_solong is a terminal unromantic nonverbal beat in LW with reaction "Progue turns and surveys the beach with a critical eye. 'Well and look!' he says. 'We stood out what we accomplished to do. Walked the beach. Well. Many thanks for your accompaniment. Mayhaps I'll see you around?' He grins at you, then turns and walks down the slope on the far side towards the tree stumps, quickly vanishing into the haze of the swamp.". After discussing lw_solong: Progue is losing interest, silently; post-conversation processing; now dont_describe_Progue is true; summon Progue to West-Marsh; Progue's life goes on; continue the action.

Understand "take hand" or "take his hand" or "take progues hand" or "hold hand" or "hold hands" as lw_hand when last beat is in LW.